Hanoi moves to address flood impact in suburbs

Floodwater has inundated about 10,000ha of rice, thousands of ha of other crops, more than 540ha of aquatic farming and 36 farms. It has also left many places in Thanh Tri, Dan Phuong and Quoc Oai districts 40 – 80cm under water, according to the capital city’s steering board for natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue.

In Ba Vi district, about 1,280ha of rice, 130ha of other crops and 100ha of aquatic farming have been flooded, mostly in lowland and riverside communes.

Quoc Oai district has also been affected, with 386 houses flooded and almost 2,400ha of rice, 142ha of other crops, 142ha of fruit trees and 160ha of aquatic farming damaged.

Meanwhile, 1,286 houses and some 11km of roads in Chuong My district are underwater. Flooding also devastated nearly 1,870ha of rice, 213ha of other crops, 47ha of fruit trees and 263ha of aquaculture farms there.

The Tuyet Nghia kindergarten of Quoc Oai district is flooded, forcing many children to be off school (Photo: VNA)

The steering board for disaster prevention, search and rescue of Chuong My said some local houses collapsed while several concrete canals and dyke sections were eroded.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu ordered district authorities to survey the flooding situation to help locals recover and clean up the environment. They also need to examine and reinforce irrigation works and natural disaster prevention facilities.

While the municipal Department of Health has to work with the localities to clean the environment, the Department of Construction was asked to help repair damaged houses.

The Hanoi Power Corporation was directed to resume electricity supply for the settlement of flood consequences. Meanwhile, the Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Co. Ltd needs to boost drainage capacity in flooded areas, the official added.